CYPRUS AND THE LIFE LED THERE.
Reading edition
"Eidolon, or the Trial of a Soul, and other Poems," is the title of a new volume of verses from the press of Pickering, written by Walter R. Cassels, a student of the school of Shelley, and Keats, and Tennyson, and Browning. A favorable specimen of his abilities is offered in the following description of Cyprus:
Amid it riseth Olympus, Stately and grand as the throne of the gods, And the island sleeps 'neath its shadow Like a fair babe 'neath the care of its father. Streams clear as the diamond Evermore wander around it, Like the vein'd tide through our members, Quick with the blessings of beauty, And health and verdurous pleasure, Filling with yellow sheaves And plenty the bosom of Ceres; Calling forth flowers from the slumbering earth, Like thoughts from the dream of a poet, Till the island throughout is a garden, The child and the plaything of summer. "In luscious clusters the fruit hangs In the sunshine, melting away From swetness to sweetness; The grapes clustering 'mid leaves, That give their bright hue to the eye Like the setting of rubies; The nectarines and pomegranates Glowing with crimson ripeness, And the orange trees with their blossoms Yielding sweet odor to every breeze, As the incense flows from the censer. "The air is languid with pleasure and love, Lulling the senses to dreams Elysian, Making life seem a glorious trance, Full of bright visions of heaven, Safe from the touch of reality, Toil none—woe none—pain, Wild and illusive as sleep-revelations. Time to be poured like wine from a chalice Sparking and joyous for aye, Drain'd amid mirth and music, The brows circled with ivy, And the goblets at last like a gift Thrust in the bossom of slumber. "Thus are the people of Cyprus; Young men and old making holiday, Decking them daintily forth In robes of Sidonian purple; The maidens all beauteous, but wanton, Foolishly flinging youth's gifts, Its jewels—its richest adornment, Like dross on the altar of pleasure; Letting the worm of mortality Eat out their hearts till they bear Only the semblance of angels."